Aiga-i-le-Tai
Encyclopedia
Aiga-i-le-Tai is a district
of Samoa
which includes the small islands of Manono
, Apolima
and tiny uninhabited Nu'ulopa
lying in the Apolima Strait
between the country's two main islands of Upolu
and Savai'i
.
The district includes part of the mainland at the western end of Upolu and surrounds an exclave of A'ana
district, namely Satuimalufilufi village.
Historically, Manono island has been the centre of the district. In modern times, the main centre is Mulifanua
where the inter-island ferry terminal is located for ocean crossings between Savai'i and Upolu.
With an area of only 27 km², Aiga-i-le-Tai is the smallest electoral district in the country with a population (2001 Census) of 4,508. Va'a-o-Fonoti
is the only electoral district with a smaller population.
The words 'aiga i le tai literally means 'family by the sea' in the Samoan language
.
One of the most important chiefly (matai
) titles in the district is Leiataua. The district is also a major leg of the Sa Malietoa clan. Manono plays an important part in the election of the Malietoa title-holders, as Malie village must consult with Manono in the election of title holders, hence the importance of the Malietoa title in this district.
, situated on the northwest coast of Upolu, is the second-most important port on the island, after the busiest harbour in the capital Apia. The port is the main inter-island connection to Savai'i
island. A regular passenger and vehicle ferry operates seven days a week, during the day, between Mulifanua and Salelologa
ferry terminal on Savai'i. Views of Apolima and Manono can be seen during the crossing.
has uncovered pre-historic Lapita
pottery sherds and adzes at Mulifanua, discovered during expansion work on the wharf in 1973. The oldest date so far from pre-historic remains at Mulifanua has been calculated by New Zealand
scientists to a likely true age of circa 3,000 BP (Before Present). The submerged Lapita site was accidentally discovered in the 1970s during work to expand the inter-island ferry berth.This is the only site in Samoa where decorated Lapita sherds have been found although plainware pottery remains are found in other parts of Samoa and American Samoa
.
Districts of Samoa
Samoa is made up of eleven itūmālō . These are the traditional eleven districts that were established well before European arrival...
of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
which includes the small islands of Manono
Manono Island
Manono is an island of Samoa, situated in the Apolima Strait between the main islands of Savai'i and Upolu, 3.4 km WNW off Lefatu Cape, the westernmost point of Upolu....
, Apolima
Apolima
Apolima is the smallest of the four inhabited islands of Samoa and situated in the Apolima Strait, between the country's two largest islands Upolu to the east and Savai'i to the west....
and tiny uninhabited Nu'ulopa
Nu'ulopa
Nu'ulopa is a small uninhabited island in the Apolima Strait between the islands of Upolu and Savai'i in Samoa. The island is part of Aiga-i-le-Tai district....
lying in the Apolima Strait
Apolima Strait
The Apolima Strait is about 13km wide and separates the two largest islands of Samoa, the island of Savai'i to the northwest, and Upolu to the southeast....
between the country's two main islands of Upolu
Upolu
Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long, in area, and is the second largest in geographic area as well as the most populated of the Samoan Islands. Upolu is situated to the east of...
and Savai'i
Savai'i
Savaii is the largest and highest island in Samoa and the Samoa Islands chain. It is also the biggest landmass in Polynesia outside Hawaii and New Zealand. The island of Savai'i is also referred to by Samoans as Salafai, a classical Samoan term used in oratory and prose...
.
The district includes part of the mainland at the western end of Upolu and surrounds an exclave of A'ana
A'ana
A'ana is a district of Samoa. It is on the western half of Upolu island, with a small exclave surrounded by Aiga-i-le-Tai. It has an area of 193 km² and a population of 20,167. The main centre is Leulumoega....
district, namely Satuimalufilufi village.
Historically, Manono island has been the centre of the district. In modern times, the main centre is Mulifanua
Mulifanua
Mulifanua is a village on the north-western tip of the island of Upolu, in Samoa. In the modern era, it is the capital of Aiga-i-le-Tai district...
where the inter-island ferry terminal is located for ocean crossings between Savai'i and Upolu.
With an area of only 27 km², Aiga-i-le-Tai is the smallest electoral district in the country with a population (2001 Census) of 4,508. Va'a-o-Fonoti
Va'a-o-Fonoti
Va'a-o-Fonoti is a district on the north east coast of Upolu Island in Samoa, with a population of 1,666, making it the least populated district in the country....
is the only electoral district with a smaller population.
The words 'aiga i le tai literally means 'family by the sea' in the Samoan language
Samoan language
Samoan Samoan Samoan (Gagana Sāmoa, is the language of the Samoan Islands, comprising the independent country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language—alongside English—in both jurisdictions. Samoan, a Polynesian language, is the first language for most...
.
Chief titles
Historically, the naval power of Manono and Apolima played a major role in political power-struggles between the national clans.One of the most important chiefly (matai
Fa'amatai
Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society.It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the Samoa Islands, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa...
) titles in the district is Leiataua. The district is also a major leg of the Sa Malietoa clan. Manono plays an important part in the election of the Malietoa title-holders, as Malie village must consult with Manono in the election of title holders, hence the importance of the Malietoa title in this district.
Mulifanua ferry terminal
Today, the ferry terminal at MulifanuaMulifanua
Mulifanua is a village on the north-western tip of the island of Upolu, in Samoa. In the modern era, it is the capital of Aiga-i-le-Tai district...
, situated on the northwest coast of Upolu, is the second-most important port on the island, after the busiest harbour in the capital Apia. The port is the main inter-island connection to Savai'i
Savai'i
Savaii is the largest and highest island in Samoa and the Samoa Islands chain. It is also the biggest landmass in Polynesia outside Hawaii and New Zealand. The island of Savai'i is also referred to by Samoans as Salafai, a classical Samoan term used in oratory and prose...
island. A regular passenger and vehicle ferry operates seven days a week, during the day, between Mulifanua and Salelologa
Salelologa
Salelologa is a village district at the east end of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is the main entry point into the island with the only ferry terminal on Savai'i...
ferry terminal on Savai'i. Views of Apolima and Manono can be seen during the crossing.
Archaeology
Archaeology in SamoaArchaeology in Samoa
Archaeology of Samoa began with the first systematic survey of archaeological remains on Savai'i island by Jack Golson in 1957. Since then, surveys and studies in the rest of Samoa have uncovered major findings of settlements, stone and earth mounds including star mounds, Lapita pottery remains and...
has uncovered pre-historic Lapita
Lapita
Lapita is a term applied to an ancient Pacific Ocean archaeological culture which is believed by many archaeologists to be the common ancestor of several cultures in Polynesia, Micronesia, and some coastal areas of Melanesia...
pottery sherds and adzes at Mulifanua, discovered during expansion work on the wharf in 1973. The oldest date so far from pre-historic remains at Mulifanua has been calculated by New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
scientists to a likely true age of circa 3,000 BP (Before Present). The submerged Lapita site was accidentally discovered in the 1970s during work to expand the inter-island ferry berth.This is the only site in Samoa where decorated Lapita sherds have been found although plainware pottery remains are found in other parts of Samoa and American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
.